-----Original Message----- From: Derrer, Denise
[mailto:dderrer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2003 9:51
AM To: Derrer, Denise Cc: Norman, Sandi; Berish, Janet Subject: BOAH
Release: West Nile Equine Update
Weekly West Nile Positive
Update: Equine Report
INDIANAPOLIS (3 September 2003)---A third
horse has tested positive for the disease caused by the West Nile virus.
The 9-year-old gelding is recovering from the disease in Henry
County.
Like the two other Indiana horses that have tested positive for
the disease this year, this quarter horse was not vaccinated against the
West Nile virus.
"While September is late in the season to begin
vaccinating against West Nile, it's still not too late," said Sandra
Norman, DVM, Director of the Equine Division for the Indiana State Board of
Animal Health. "So far all of the test-positive horses we've seen have not
been protected against the disease. We know from last year's experience
that the West Nile season has only just begun and we're likely to see many
more positives throughout the late summer and autumn months."
Norman
also reminded horse owners to booster their vaccinated animals to maintain
immunity to the virus. "Many horses were vaccinated last year during the
height of the 2002 season. To maintain their immunity, those animals need
to be boostered with a single dose of vaccine at the one-year anniversary
of their initial dose," she said.
The initial vaccination requires two
doses of vaccine, given three weeks to six weeks apart. Subsequent
revaccinations require only one dose, one year later.
During 2002,
722 Hoosier horses tested positive for the disease statewide. An estimated
75 percent recovered from the disease with supportive care. While an
effective vaccine is available against the West Nile virus, no cure for the
disease exists.
Clinical signs of the West Nile disease include: ataxia
or incoordination, fever (in some cases), muscle tremors (particularly of
the lips and trunk), weakness in the hind limbs, inability to rise and
sudden death. Animals receiving early supportive care and treatment of
symptoms are more likely to survive.
Eliminating mosquito breeding
grounds, including all sources---even very small---of standing water, will
reduce the likelihood of an animal contracting the disease-causing
virus.
Equine Positives To Date: Montgomery County: 1
(8/19) Jefferson County: 1 (8/25) Henry County: 1
(9/2)
-30-
Denise Derrer Public Information
Director Indiana State Board of Animal Health 805 Beachway Drive, Ste.
50 Indianapolis, IN 46224-7785 317/227-0308 fax:
317/227-0330
Buffy Spellcaster Miniature
Horses Beware... They'll cast a spell on your
heart!
